The meditation malas are handmade by staff members of Hello Handicraft, Bauddha Nepal that has a long history of serving in Buddhist and Hindu spiritual journeys. Through the guidance of these indigenous Mala makers of Lumbini, we bring you malas made out of various ethically sourced seeds and repurposed stones, metals and gems, all hand knotted by women of Kathmandu.
To reduce waste and help you keep your malas with you for longer period of time, we also offer fixing and re-knotting of malas bought through us in minimum charges within United States.
What is a mala?
Mala is a symbol of the never ending cycle- "a string of beads". "Mala" is a word from the Sanskrit language meaning "garland" or "meditation garland". Mala's have been around for thousands of years. Around the 8th century B.C.E., Indian sages began to use beads to help them during meditation. The use of these prayer beads, called japa malas, spread to other cultures and religions besides Hinduism and Buddhism. Today many spiritual aspirants use malas for various reasons. Typically a mala is a string made of 108 beads of either wood, seeds, pearls or semi-precious / precious stones believed to open, balance and/or strengthen the Chakras (Wheels of energy) in Yogic philosophy. Some mala's have a 109th bead called the Meru bead. The Meru bead typically sits at the center of the mala, the area closest to your heart. Some believe that positive energy associated with your mala is stored here.
Significance of 108 beads in mala:
According to the ancient Vedic culture, 108 was the number of existence. In the yogic tradition, there are 108 Upanishads (the sacred texts), 108 sacred sites throughout India, and 108 marma points, which are the sacred sites of the body. There are 108 lines of energy that converge to form the heart chakra, with one of those lines leading to the crown chakra and self-realization. And on a larger scale, the Sun’s diameter is 108 times that of the diameter of the Earth, while the Sun to Earth distance is 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
Uses:
Mala's are mostly used for a form of meditation called "Japa meditation". Japa meditation also called "mantra meditation" is a form of mantra recital leveraging the 108 beads of your mala to keep track if of each mantra repetition. This enables practitioners to more easily focus on the meaning and intention behind their mantra rather than counting their mantra repetitions.
Malas are also simply used as a physical reminder of positive intentions and for so many others can be just be a meditation tool often used within religious practices. There is no one definition or correct meaning as to what a mala is, it is up to each individual to determine what meaning their mala holds for them but keeping an open mind and respect is the essence of using a mala.
These malas have special symbols and meanings in Buddhist and Hindu traditions of Nepal therefore please appreciate and not appropriate. When using mala for meditation or when wearing as accessory, we request you to respect the heritage and history of mala by following the practice of AHIMSA (non violence) and compassion to all sentient beings.
To learn more about the etiquette of malas,
Contact Dharmendra Baniya at hellocraftnepal@gmail.com
Dhanyabad ~ Thank you
